All of the assigned readings for these three days speak of sheep and shepherds:

God is the shepherd in Psalm 100.

God is the shepherd-divine warrior who will end the Babylonian Exile in Jeremiah 50:1-7 and Zechariah 9:14-10:2.

David, a troublesome character, is the shepherd-king in 2 Samuel 5:1-12.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd in Luke 15:1-7.

St. Paul the Apostle is the shepherd warning of “fierce wolves” in Acts 20:17-38.

Faithful church leaders are the shepherds worthy of obedience in Hebrews 13:17-25.

Now I proceed to unpack some themes:

The core of church doctrine, as in the question of the nature of Christ, developed over centuries, during which debates, arguments, and street brawls, and knife fights occurred in the name of sorting out proper theology. Much of what we Christians take for granted these days came about over five centuries, give or take a few years. Even the latest book in the New Testament did not exist until the end of the first century of the Common Era, and consensus regarding canonical status required more time to form. In that context obeying orthodox bishops made a great deal of sense, although the definition of orthodoxy shifted over time. Origen, for example, was orthodox in his day yet heterodox ex post facto.

The parable from Luke 15:1-7 assumes a team of shepherds, so one shepherd could leave to seek a lost sheep without fear of losing more animals.

That parable tells us that all people matter to Jesus. They should, therefore, matter to us also.

One metaphor for kings in the Bible is shepherds. Some shepherds are good, but others are bad, unfortunately. Good kings do what is best for all the people, especially the vulnerable ones.

God is the best shepherd, protecting the flock, seeking an unbroken and unforgotten covenant with it, and searching for the lost sheep. The flock can be bigger, and we can, by grace, function well as junior shepherds, subordinate to God, the senior shepherd.

I notice the community theme inherent in the metaphor of the flock. We depend upon God, the ultimate shepherd, and upon the other shepherds in the team. We also depend upon and bear responsibilities toward each other, for we follow the lead of others–often the lead of fellow sheep. Sometimes this is for better, but often it is for worse. Sticking together and following the proper leader is essential for group survival and for individual survival.

May we, by grace, recognize the voice of God, our ultimate shepherd, and follow it.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

APRIL 5, 2015 COMMON ERA

EASTER SUNDAY, YEAR B

THE FEAST OF MILNER BALL, PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER, LAW PROFESSOR, WITNESS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, AND HUMANITARIAN